MBABANE:William Tsintsibala Dlamini,the National Commissioner of Police has stopped the funeral of Mlandvo Khumalo,the member of the Swaziland International Solidarity Forces(SISF) who was killed by the army with the assistance of Mswati’s foreign mercenaries.
It has been disclosed that the police allegedly summoned Khumalo’s family members on Friday and told them to stop the funeral pending consultations with Labadzala(Mswati).
“We were summoned this morning and told to stop the funeral.The National Commissioner told us they want to consult with Labadzala first and that they don’t want Mlandvo to be buried like a hero but like a dog.The police told us that they were not happy with the assistance from SNAT and the high Command of the Solidarity Forces,”said the family member.
A questionnaire was sent to the National Commissioner, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
Mbongwa Dlamini, the President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers(SNAT) confirmed that they donated a coffin worth fifteen thousand Rands(R15,000.00)towards the burial of Mlandvo Khumalo.
“As SNAT, we don’t discriminate, we assist where there’s a need,” said the SNAT President.
Reached for comments,Mlungisi Makhanya, the President of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) said the intention by the police to stop the funeral was another reminder of how contemptuous Mswati was of ordinary citizens.
“This is just another reminder of how contemptuous Mswati’s is of ordinary citizens. We are once again reliving the sad memories that we experienced when funerals for other fighters like Sipho Jele and other Swazis were stopped on the eleventh hour at the so called instruction from Labadzala,” said the PUDEMO President.
SNAT donated a coffin to Mlandvo Khumalo.